Diaspora Members Urged To Support Adopt-A-Clinic

Press Release From The Ministry of Health and Wellness - November 28,2025

The Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton

Members of the Jamaican Diaspora are being urged to support the Adopt-A-Clinic Programme, by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

 The Minister said this would represent a meaningful contribution to primary healthcare, in the ongoing rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing a recent virtual meeting, hosted by the Embassy of Jamaica, in Washington DC,  United States (US), the Minister said that an individual, entity or a group of individuals can express interest in a “special adoption” of a health centre, and it could be in their community, where the support “would bring back, in a meaningful way, health services within a community where the impact has been great”. 

Dr. Tufton told the forum that during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, the country lost a lot of vehicles for the movement of people, movement of health services, movement of vector workers and equipment, and that a lot of ambulances were destroyed.

“The equipment that does the spraying, or the mobile clinics, an ambulance, for example, cost $25 million.  We work with Toyota Jamaica. They convert those vehicles, regular high-speed buses, and they can build it out to be an ambulance at a cheaper cost,” he said.

Dr. Tufton said the cost for one of the vehicles could be about US$100,000, and that a “couple of persons could come together and make that donation, or one could contribute towards it”.

“There is a lot of flexibility but the mobility of health services is critical, and we did suffer a lot last year, and we felt this was a good thing to package as a possible donation,” the Minister said.

Dr. Tufton said the Ministry is big on primary healthcare, providing health services in communities through mobile health clinics, and persons in the diaspora can provide support to that area of public health, because “mobile health clinics are a big part of the future”.

“We are going into communities and filling prescriptions until the health centres and the pharmacies are back up and running, and this [mobile clinic] is a valuable piece of equipment that can really go a far way to helping to take healthcare to communities in rural Jamaica. And that would be a great donation by anyone or any group,” he said.

The Minister also reported that the sector lost a lot of diagnostic equipment because of water damage when roofs were blown off, and that the Ministry will provide specifications to persons or entities wishing to  donate equipment.

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Red Shingles Needed

A supporter is looking for red shingles. Send a message to 876 816-5261 if you know where I can get them.

SOS - Family in Coleville, Manchester Needs Help

There is a family in Coleville, Manchester, a Melissa victim who needs your support. They need tarpaulin, solar lamps and food. This family is urgently in need of help. Please send me a WhatsApp message at 876 816-5261 if you can help.

Waterborne Diseases Not A Threat To Tourists Who Visit Tourist Areas In Jamaica

The Hon. Dr Christopher Tufton

Mr Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, speaks to the challenge posed by waterborne illnesses. He says the information given is intended to protect Jamaicans, and that we are in a big tourism space, and there is an obligation to ensure tourists are safe.

Click the icon below to listen to Dr Christopher Tufton.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

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Opal Lee Keeps You Abreast of USA Visa and Immigration Matters

It is very important to listen to Opal Lee on SpotOn as she informs and educates you about what's happening in the USA. Sometimes she takes you to another country of her choice and explores the beautiful world.

Click here to watch the video.

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Click here to report Hurricane Melissa challenges.

 

Click here to see what's happening.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

Michael Spence Ask, "Where Have All The Men Gone?"

This is definitely an interesting discussion with sociologist and businessman Michael Spence. The birth rate is declining, and what is happening to our boys? What is the rate of illiteracy among our men when compared to our women? The result will shock you. Click on the picture below to watch the video.

Click to watch the video.

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Click here to report Hurricane Melissa challenges.

 

Click here to see what's happening.

_________________

Subscribe Now!

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• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Team West Goes To Lowe River In Trelawny To Assist Hurricane Melissa Victims

Hurricane Melissa victims have been getting help not only from overseas people, but Jamaicans living in Jamaica have been making significant contributions. Today, I introduce a group of Jamaicans called Team West working with the people.

Team West will hold its sixth medical mission in Trelawney this Saturday, November 29, at the Lowe River United Church. The medical team will continue their outreach programme, providing essential healthcare services in the Hurricane Melissa-affected communities. 

This Saturday, they will offer consultations to residents of Trelawney, focusing on individuals with chronic illnesses, prescribing and dispensing medications, conducting examinations for children, running tests, and administering preventive treatments, including contraception and immunisations.

Doors will open at 8:30 am and close at 4 pm. Congratulations to Team West for your contribution, which I understand the people appreciate tremendously.

Please share this information with the residents of South Trelawny.

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Ministry of Labour & Social Security Intensifies Collaboration With World Food Programme

  

Ministry of Labour & Social Security Press Release -  November 27, 2025. 

(L-R) Chief Technical Director (CTD), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), 

Mrs Audrey Deer-Williams; Director Social Services, MLSS, Ms Suzette Morris, 

World Food Programme (WFP) Representative for the WFP Caribbean Office, Dana Saccheti.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has intensified its partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) as Jamaica continues its national response to Hurricane Melissa.  

Through this collaboration with the MLSS, WFP proposes to assist 200,000 people over three months with food, cash, logistics, and emergency telecommunications, support which requires expenditure of USD $30 million.  

So far through this partnership 24, 500 food kits have been distributed to people across St. Elizabeth, St. James, Trelawny and Westmoreland parishes. Each kit is designed to support a household of three for one week. WFP aims to reach 46,000 people in the coming days as it continues to scale up its efforts. 

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., noted “the collaboration with the WFP has enhanced the Ministry’s capacity to conduct field assessments and respond rapidly to identify needs.  Further, this partnership also supports integration with the Jamaica Household Disaster Impact and Needs Assessment (JHDINA) platform, where 22,340 household assessments have already been completed, ensuring efficient data-driven decision-making. 

Additionally, this strategic collaboration with the WFP has facilitated the review of the MLSS’ existing Community Feedback Mechanism for individuals affected by Hurricane Melissa, with a particular focus on identifying challenges and recommending targeted improvements.  

For further information, contact: Ms. Rochelle Mitchell – Chief Execution Officer, Office of the Minister, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. MP, JP| 876-278-5115 

By supporting these enhancements, WFP is helping to strengthen government-led systems for accountability and responsiveness—ensuring that assistance is delivered efficiently, transparently, and to those who need it most. Through this partnership critical assets have been delivered to enable emergency operations, including trucks, generators, forklifts, storage units, pallets, and sector-specific equipment.  

To strengthen fit for purpose support and build on-the-ground response capacity, WFP established seven emergency staging areas in strategic locations such as Montego Bay, Kingston, and Black River, ensuring rapid deployment and distribution of relief items to affected communities. 

Representative for the WFP Caribbean Office, Brian Bogart commented on the WFPs role in supporting the GOJ’s Humanitarian response to Hurricane Melissa said, “WFP has been fully committed to supporting the national emergency response – even before Hurricane Melissa made landfall. Our work is embedded within the national system, ensuring that multilateral support is aligned with Government of Jamaica priorities and through our efforts today we aim to contribute to strengthening disaster response capabilities for future emergencies. To date, WFP has provided emergency food kits to more than 35,000 vulnerable people across the most heavily impacted parishes with plans to double the number of people reached over the coming days.” 

The MLSS has delivered some 59,320 food packages across multiple parishes, supported by WFP’s expertise in logistics, supply chain strengthening, and digital assessment tools. WFP continues to assist Jamaica in improving real-time data collection and humanitarian delivery mechanisms. Coordinated relief efforts involving the World Food Programme (WFP), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), and the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) are ongoing and successfully provide essential supplies to residents across several affected communities.   

The MLSS and WFP remain committed to coordinated national recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. 

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New Prime Minister For St. Vincent and the Grenadines!

 

Dr Goodwin Friday

Dr Goodwin Friday has toppled the long-standing Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves. The island will now start getting used to a government led by the New Democratic Party (NDP). 

Dr Goodwin, the leader of the NDP, will become the seventh prime minister since the island became independent in 1979. He will give the United Labour Party (ULP) a break after they led the country for a quarter-century.

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Head To Roll At Another Government Entity?

Nari Williams-Singh

What seemed like an all-out war between executives of the Civil Aviation Department and the Finance Ministry over salary issues has fizzled out. One official told me that there is a philosophy that if you work with a government entity that earns significant revenues, then the executives must be highly compensated. If we should adopt that principle, then the NWSMA Executive Director would be paid JAD0.00, annually. The prime minister would be better paid heading one of these top-notch government organization. I understand they earn over JAD20 million annually

Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Nari Williams-Singh, and three senior executives, Rohan Campbell (Regulatory Affairs), Howard Greaves (Air Navigation Services), and Nichole Morgan (Corporate Services) were reported in the Daily Gleaner of Thursday, November 27, 2025, that they have withdrawn their court cases against the Finance Ministry.

There is also another bombshell today. The Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Jamaica is now on leave, and that leave could become permanent. His phone went unanswered this afternoon.

My opinion is that it seems unusual that the JCAA Executive Director is off the island at this time. The man is probably enjoying himself in a faraway land, in a beautiful jacuzzi bath with the water massaging his soft skin. What a life!

I expect the JCAA board chairman to issue a press release soon. There could be far more to this story. I am concerned for Minister Vaz because he is known as the man to blame for every and anything. Interesting days are ahead. I understand that his wife holds a senior position in a government entity, and she could also be in trouble. This seems like a double, couple trouble!

It seems that the government is ensuring that the leaders in the public sector perform, because at the end of the day, the government gets the blame.

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Click here to report Hurricane Melissa challenges.

 

Click here to see what's happening.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

Demons Are Among Us

D E M O N 

I have noticed over the past year a deluge of vitriolic social media posts. I see these posts as an indication of things to come. I believe these posts are being put up by some people who are suffering from serious mental disorders. Some might even be local fanatics fighting for a cause.

I saw a video on the internet recently, which stated that an individual had written to the leaders in the UK advising them not to give funding to Jamaica to assist Jamaicans who suffered under the wrath of Hurricane Melissa. Only a sick mind would do such a thing.

I have seen some very abusive and libellous posts on the internet being churned out daily. These must be produced by some very sick minds.

Today, it went too far when it was reported that someone deliberately cut down a JPS pole shortly after electricity was restored to an area. Immediate action must be taken to cauterize the situation. Only a person with a sick mind would have done this.

There is a need for heightened security for members of the security forces and our leaders. The police must use AI technology to track the activities of suspected individuals who publish dangerous and libellous content on the Internet.

Anyone who supports any illegal act, makes mischief, or posts stories knowing them to be false should be charged with a criminal offence.

Anyone who does anything to destroy any national infrastructure or destroy any equipment that results in people not being able to enjoy services such as electricity, communication, or transportation, for example, should be charged as a terrorist. Such a person should be liable to serve up to a life sentence with hard labour.

It is only a matter of time before certain actions normally seen taking place in North America will take place in Jamaica. We have some demons in and outside this beautiful country.

Those who have ears to hear, let them hear!

Do you think I am overreacting the same way I did with Hurricane Melissa?

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Professor Sean Thorpe From UTech Ja, Speaks With Vernon Derby About AI

 AI, Artificial Intelligence, is taking over the world. How will it affect how students learn in school? How will it affect how we do business? Your phone will become your smart friend.

Click on the icon below and listen to Vernon Derby talking with Professor Sean Thorpe.

Click to watch the video.

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Click here to report Hurricane Melissa challenges.

 

Click here to see what's happening.

_________________

Subscribe Now!

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• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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